Our History
Y. H Thomas School was named after Yarborough Henry Thomas an educator and community advocate. Y. H. Thomas Junior High School was dedicated in 1953 and opened as the only Junior High School for black students in Hampton, Virginia. Y. H. Thomas School was closed after desegregation in 1968 and fell in disrepair.
In the fall of 1992, the renaissance of Hampton’s Y. H. Thomas Junior High School was initiated when a number of neighborhood organizations formed the Coalition for Community Pride and Progress, and approached Hampton City Council with the idea of converting a wing of the old school to a community center. Hampton Council agreed that it would fund the renovations if the community would staff the center with volunteers. Community Development Block Grant funding was utilized to restore the roof. Additional renovations were provided from both the Capital budget and Community Development Block Grant funding.
In April of 1996 phase I of Y.H. Thomas Community Center was completed with the opening of the gymnasium, several meeting rooms and administrative offices. The last phase of renovation was completed with AmeriCorp funding. During the centers initial years volunteers contributed between 700 and 800 hours per month and in 1999 the Center had over 20,000 attendees annually. The Y.H. Thomas Complex is currently the home of Y. H. Thomas Community Center Inc., Girls, Inc., Inspiring Minds Youth Development Center, The Hampton Clean City Commission, The Urban League of Hampton Roads, and Hampton Division of Fire and Rescue.
In the fall of 1992, the renaissance of Hampton’s Y. H. Thomas Junior High School was initiated when a number of neighborhood organizations formed the Coalition for Community Pride and Progress, and approached Hampton City Council with the idea of converting a wing of the old school to a community center. Hampton Council agreed that it would fund the renovations if the community would staff the center with volunteers. Community Development Block Grant funding was utilized to restore the roof. Additional renovations were provided from both the Capital budget and Community Development Block Grant funding.
In April of 1996 phase I of Y.H. Thomas Community Center was completed with the opening of the gymnasium, several meeting rooms and administrative offices. The last phase of renovation was completed with AmeriCorp funding. During the centers initial years volunteers contributed between 700 and 800 hours per month and in 1999 the Center had over 20,000 attendees annually. The Y.H. Thomas Complex is currently the home of Y. H. Thomas Community Center Inc., Girls, Inc., Inspiring Minds Youth Development Center, The Hampton Clean City Commission, The Urban League of Hampton Roads, and Hampton Division of Fire and Rescue.
